IRVING, Texas -- Tony Romo took it easy on his bruised right hand Tuesday, throwing nothing more than lobs during practice. During all his down time, he might have gotten a good laugh by looking at the merry-go-round playing out in the Dallas Cowboys' secondary.
On one play, suspended-but-appealing safety Roy Williams was with the first team, with backup Keith Davis right behind him.
On the next play, Davis was with the first team, with Williams waiting in the wings.
Williams was told Monday that he has to sit out Dallas' game Saturday night against Carolina as punishment for his third "horse-collar" tackle this season. He appealed Tuesday and a hearing was set for Wednesday. While the delay gave his defenders more time to prepare their case, it left coach Wade Phillips with less time to prepare his defense. He's already hampered by a shorter-than-usual week.
"We're in a little bit of limbo here," Phillips said. "We just need to get it settled."
This practice was only a walkthrough as Phillips didn't want to push his players too hard two days after a game. Tuesday is normally their day off.
Romo was limited because of an injury to the thumb on his passing hand. He didn't take snaps and might only take them out of the shotgun Wednesday, even though he'll likely have a new center. Starter Andre Gurode hurt his left knee and probably won't play against the Panthers.
Romo didn't speak to reporters Tuesday, but he was seen after practice with his right hand wrapped with ice and a stimulation machine.
"He said he felt better," Phillips said, adding that the bruising and swelling had gone down.
Tight end Jason Witten has no doubt Romo will play Saturday.
"Oh yeah," he said. "He's really tough. I'd be shocked if he didn't."
Romo, Witten and Gurode were among 11 Cowboys chosen Tuesday to the NFC Pro Bowl roster. It tied a team record and was the most among all NFL clubs. Dallas has seven starters and four backups, including Marion Barber, who doesn't even start for the Cowboys.
Phillips called the Pro Bowl announcement a nice mood-lifter for a club dealing with injuries, the Williams suspension and lingering disappointment from a 10-6 loss to Philadelphia on Sunday.
onenyseguy 